Another decent day yesterday with plenty of places plus a winner or two thrown in.

Today’s card looks a minefield – but there is plenty of value to be had.

1.30 – JCB Triumph Hurdle

Sir Erec was seen by many as the Irish banker this week and although his odds are very short, is fancied to live up to the hype.

He finished third in a Group 2 race at Ascot on soft ground so conditions here should not present any problems.

Quel Destin has run up a sequence of victories for Paul Nicholls, while Pentland Hills will have to improve on his first win, but may do just that.

Prediction: 1 Sir Erec 2 Quel Destin 3 Pentland Hills

2.10 County Hurdle

Richard Johnson would have had the pick of a few of these and he opts for Crooks Peak who could be the answer at double-figure odds.

He impressed when winning at Newbury last time out and looks to have plenty in his favour here despite having to carry a penalty.

Monsieur Lecoq ran well at Sandown last weekend but there is a danger this race could come too soon.

Éclair De Beaufeu ran well at Leopardstown last time and is clearly on the up, while Ch’tibello has had a wind operation and can grab minor honours.

Prediction: 1 Crooks Peak 2 Éclair De Beaufeu 3 Ch’tibello 4 Monsieur Lecoq

2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Birchdale is sure to be popular and has done nothing wrong but the value of his form is open to question.

Commander Of Fleet looked like one to follow when winning at Leopardstown last time and is on the upgrade. He looks a likely winner.

Derrinross is the eldest horse in the field aged eight, but has gradually got his act together and looks a live outsider, with Allaho another to monitor closely in the betting.

Prediction: 1 Commander Of Fleet 2 Birchdale 3 Derrinross 4 Allaho

3.30 Gold Cup

Presenting Percy may well justify the hype and take this, but his bizarre preparation does not fill you with confidence.

He has not run over fences since winning last year’s RSA Chase but has the ground in his favour and will put up a bold show.

But Native River is another with the going to suit and Colin Tizzard’s charge, so impressive when winning this race 12 months ago, can record a back-to-back victory.

Kemboy looks on the up and can fill the runners-up spot, with Clan Des Obeaux likely to grab a minor honour.

Prediction: 1 Native River 2 Kemboy 3 Presenting Percy 4 Clan Des Obeaux

4.10 Foxhunter Hunters’ Chase

Road To Rome has run up a sequence of victories and with an able pilot on board in Sam Waley-Cohen can continue his hot streak.

Caid Du Berlais was fifth in this race last year but made an early mistake. A better round of jumping will see him go close.

Hazel Hill has won 14 of his last 15 races and is respected, while Cousin Pete could go well at a big price.

Prediction: 1 Road To Rome 2 Caid Du Berlais 3 Hazel Hill 4 Cousin Pete

4.50 Grand Annual Handicap Chase

Mind’s Eye is the amazingly the sole Irish representative, but is taken to fly the flag and grab victory.

A satisfactory run on his handicap debut last time, Rachel Blackmore’s charge will appreciate this stiffer track.

Gino Trail will enjoy the cut in the ground and is over-priced at 20-1 while Marracudja is on a handy mark and Magic Saint won convincingly last time and will be popular.

Prediction: 1 Mind’s Eye 2 Marracudja 3 Gino Trail 4 Magic Saint

5.10 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

A week that started so poorly for Gordon Elliott can end on a high with Dallas Des Pictons scooping victory.

He won on similar ground in France and is on the upgrade. He could be hard to beat Early Doors has been running against better rivals and will appreciate this test, while Daybreak Boy and Getareason can complete the top four.

Prediction: 1 Dallas Des Pictons 2 Early Doors 3 Daybreak Boy 4 Getareason